Ethan's family was engulfed in surrealism as they journeyed to Crescent Ridge. The luxury SUV that Ethan had managed to book for the trip only intensified their sense of disbelief.
The interior, decked out in leather, starkly contrasted with the worn-out buses and cramped public transport they had grown accustomed to.
As they smoothly cruised down the road, the engine's hum was a mere whisper, leading them toward a life beyond their wildest dreams.
"Whoa… This car is so comfortable," Lily marveled, caressing the soft leather seats.
For years, owning a car was a distant dream for the Cole family. Thanks to their proximity, they had always relied on walking to work and school. Even visiting relatives was a rarity, as they preferred to avoid the hassles of public transportation.
Ethan glanced over at his little sister, smiling. “Do you like it, Lily?”
“Of course I do!” she exclaimed, excitement radiating through the vehicle.
“Well, maybe I’ll get one of these for us soon,” Ethan said with a grin.
The family exchanged smiles, though their smiles hid their disbelief. For them, owning a car like this seemed impossible.
Little did they know that Ethan, with his wealth, could easily purchase the entire company that manufactured the SUV. If they were aware of this fact, their surprised smiles would probably turn into stunned expressions.
As the SUV approached Crescent Ridge Estates' entrance, Aaron, Elise, Jacob, and Lily leaned in closer, their eyes wide with amazement, pressing their faces against the windows.
The luxury of the neighborhood was unlike anything they had ever seen before.
The area was filled with perfectly maintained lawns, vast properties, and high gates along the roads. It was like entering a new world they had only ever seen from a distance.
"Jacob... Look at that," Lily said in a low voice, pointing towards the entrance.
At the gates, security guards dressed in spotless uniforms stood guard. These guards saluted briefly as the car drove through, and Jacob and Lily, overwhelmed by what they saw, saluted back, their faces beaming with pride and wonder.
"This feels like a dream," Elise whispered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes were wide as they took in the lush surroundings. Every detail, from the perfectly trimmed hedges to the grand mansions hidden among the trees, seemed too perfect to be real.
Aaron could only nod, speechless. The enormity of the moment overwhelmed him.
As the SUV pulled into the driveway of their new home, Ethan and his family got out of the car, their mouths agape in wonder.
In front of them stood a breathtaking three-story house, its modern design shining bright in the sunlight.
The large windows bathed the interior in light, creating a welcoming, airy space. The front yard was like a private park, with its meticulously maintained trees and flowers.
"This… is it," Ethan declared, his voice brimming with pride as he stepped out of the car. "Our new home."
Aaron followed, his gaze fixed on the house, taking in every detail in awe. Elise covered her mouth with her hand, tears in her eyes. She had dreamed of a better life for her children, but this surpassed anything she could have imagined.
Jacob and Lily couldn't hold back their excitement. They ran toward the front door, eager to see their new home up close.
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"I can't believe this is real," Aaron finally spoke, his voice trembling. "This is… incredible."
"It's too beautiful, Ethan," Elise said softly, wiping away her tears as she looked at the house.
Jacob and Lily were at the front door, their eyes wide with amazement. They had always hoped for a better life, but this was beyond anything they could have dreamed of.
Ethan laughed gently. "It's real, Mom. It's real, Dad. And it's ours."
As they walked towards the house, the front door opened, and Jessica, the agent who had helped Ethan with the purchase, greeted them with a warm smile.
"Welcome home!" she beamed.
Jessica had made sure the house was ready for them to move into, taking care of every detail from the furniture to the decor, making everything perfect.
Ethan introduced her with a warm smile, saying, "Everyone, this is Jessica. She's the one who made all of this happen so quickly."
Pleasantly, Jessica greeted everyone, "Nice to meet you all," and offered her hand to Ethan's parents.
Elise shook her hand and replied, "Thank you so much, Jessica, for your help."
Jessica’s smile was bright, but something in her eyes hinted at a deeper connection to this moment—like she could feel the weight of the emotions hanging in the air.
Lily, always curious, leaned closer and whispered, "She's so beautiful. Ethan, is she...?"
Ethan's cheeks turned red immediately. "Lily!" he hissed, trying to stay calm as his family looked at him, amusement in their eyes.
"Jessica is an amazing agent who helped us get this house," Ethan quickly explained, his tone severe yet gentle. "We should be thanking her for her skill and efficiency. That's the reason we're able to move in so quickly."
A bit flushed from Ethan's compliments, Jessica modestly responded, "I was just doing my job, Mr. Cole."
Grinning, Jacob and Lily said in unison, "Thank you, Jessica!" And with that, they zoomed past her into the house, eager to check out every corner.
Jessica chuckled softly, her cheeks still a bit rosy from the compliments. "They're wonderful," she observed, watching as the siblings vanished into the house.
Aaron and Elise walked into the grand entrance, following their kids, still in awe. "Thank you, Jessica," Aaron said, adding his gratitude as they went by.
Jessica smiled and said, "My pleasure."
She then glanced at Ethan, who was standing by the door. "Aren’t you coming in, Mr. Cole?" she asked.
Ethan responded with a playful smile. "Jessica, I’ve told you—drop the formality."
Jessica hesitated. While she had been comfortable calling him by his first name over the phone and in texts, as he had insisted, it was different in person.
Standing in front of someone as distinguished as Ethan and being fully aware of his considerable wealth made it harder for her to address him casually.
Despite his down-to-earth attitude, she found it challenging to drop the formalities face-to-face.
Finally, she apologized softly, with a hint of shyness, "I’m sorry, Ethan. Let’s go in."
Ethan led the way into the house. As they entered, the lively sounds of his siblings filled the air. Jacob and Lily were running from one room to another, their voices filled with excitement and disbelief at the size and luxury of their new home.
Aaron and Elise slowly wandered through the vast, beautifully designed rooms, absorbing every detail. The kitchen was sleek, the floors were made of Italian marble, and the furniture was custom-built—it felt like walking into a dream. Each room they entered was more breathtaking than the last, and to top it off, there was even a swimming pool in the backyard.
Ethan watched his family from a distance, feeling a quiet pride. Seeing them so full of joy and happiness made him feel that all his efforts were worth it.
Standing next to him, Jessica smiled gently. "Seeing them this happy makes me happy, too, especially since I was part of making it happen,” she said, laughing softly.
Ethan nodded, his gaze still fixed on his family. "They've given everything their whole lives. They deserve this moment. It's their time to enjoy life," he replied.
Jessica turned to him with a curious look. "You've been incredibly busy these past few days, haven’t you? Two luxurious properties in just a few days. I’ve never seen anyone move that quickly,” she observed.
Ethan chuckled, "There's more on the horizon. This is just the start."
Jessica, her curiosity piqued, couldn't help but ask, "What's next for you? I can't even begin to imagine what could top this."
Ethan smiled, keeping his cards close to his chest. His thoughts were already sprinting ahead, filled with plans for NovaTech, the company he aimed to establish, the team he wished to gather, and the paramount task of securing his family's future.
The system handed him a new direction in life. Each mission, every objective, propelled him forward. He was aware of the hurdles ahead, yet, at this moment, the sight of his family's happiness was a soothing balm to his worries.
Ethan walked toward the living room's expansive windows. Outside, security patrols made their rounds, a testament to the neighborhood's safety.
A wave of relief washed over Ethan. His family was safe, secure, and content—achievements he had once deemed unattainable. And this was merely the start.
"I'll ensure it remains this way," Ethan murmured to himself, his resolve hardening with each moment.
From her spot across the room, Jessica watched him with a knowing smile. Though she had yet to unravel Ethan Cole's mysteries or discern his future plans, one thing was unmistakably clear—Ethan was far from ordinary.